Page 43 of Defy

Turning back to Libby, I see fear in her eyes for the first time since we arrived. The only other tell that she’s scared is the way she’s rubbing her chest again. But when she speaks, her voice is steady as she looks between my father and I.

“I was going to take a shower when there was a soft knock on my door. I thought maybe it was Camila or Imelda, so I didn’t hesitate to open it. Only, as soon as I had it cracked, someone pushed it wide.”

She pauses and Omar fills the silence. “Did he say anything?”

Her blue eyes swing to mine and stay there as she answers. “He just told me that I had to come with him because it was time for me to go home…whatever that means.” She looks at me with questions swimming in her eyes.How much should I say? Do they know you told me who I really am?I subtly shake my head back and forth once.

We all heard what happened next.

She said no.

If this man was truly working for Santos – which we’ll confirm later – then Libby gave up her chance to get away from my parents and reconnect with her father. Her chance at freedom. Or at least survival.

“Libby,” my mother says from the doorway, the curiosity in her voice obvious, “Why did you tell him you weren’t leaving?”

My family fully expects her to admit that she won’t leaveme. They’re expecting an admission of love which they can use against both of us. But without even looking at me, Libby narrows her eyes slightly and says, “I don’t know whathomehe was talking about. I have no home here. I figured it was better to stay with the devil I know rather than risk it with the one I don’t, right?”

I have to turn my laugh into a cough at the look of shock on my parents’ faces.

Omar recovers first. “I want her debriefed. Diego, do you think you can handle it without shooting anything else?” He cuts his eyes to me next. “You’re coming with me. We need to shut this down. If this was Mateo’s doing, I want to know how he gotmyguard onhispayroll.” Lastly, he looks at my mother. “It’s too risky to run her at the club now. Mateo already knows she’s here which means there’s no need to leak her identity. It seems the Dutch have already done it for us.”

When she turns to respond, I see something in her eyes I’ve never seen before: Fear.

“They’re getting too close, Omar. If Mateo and the Dutch are working against us, we need to settle this. Soon. I’m tired of Luis and Dominic both being targets. We can’t get ahead if we’re constantly on the defensive.”

I stay quiet. Everyone is on high alert with adrenaline coursing through their systems and the last thing I need is for my parents to decide negotiating with Mateo isn’t worth it and to just shoot Libby instead.

Before following my father, I squat down so I can see Libby’s face, my back to my parents and Luis. I brush her hair of her forehead and watch her squeeze her eyes closed like my touch pains her.

“Are you okay?” I whisper.

“Fine,” she says shortly.

“I’m so proud of you.” Her smile warms even the iciest parts of my soul. The darkest part that sees no sunlight. But she doesn’t give me a smile. She shutters her expression and glares at me like she looks at my parents.

It would seem Libby can hold a grudge like an Hielo.

The weight of my mother’s knowing stare is on us and when I turn around, I specifically avoid her gaze. Anyone with eyes can see what’s going on between Libby and I, well, what’s going on with me at least. My chest aches at the thought that I pushed too far and now I’m in this alone.

“Has anyone seen Irina?” I ask as people start filing out of the room.

“I’m here, Dom,” Irina’s sleepy voice comes from down the hallway. When I cock an eyebrow at her askinghow did you know I needed you just now,she explains. “The commotion woke me up but I didn’t want to get in the way when I heard the gunshots and figured it was safer to stay where I was.”

My mother is like a hawk. She sees everything and circles quietly until it’s time to strike with a battle cry. She cocks her head at Irina, “And where have you been staying?”

Without missing a beat, Irina says, “With Dominic,” as she walks up next to me and kisses me on the cheek.

It’s not true of course, she’s in the roomsnextto me, but Irina’s been in this game as long as I have and she can read a room better than anyone I know. She’s trying to pull the attention off of Libby and I. I wrap an arm around her waist and return a kiss to the side of her head, whispering, “Thank you” low in her ear.

Out loud, I ask, “Can you do me a favor and stay with Libby while they debrief her? I’m needed elsewhere.” My only other option for a female companion for Libby is Camila and I’m confident they feel the twenty-thousand square feet of this fortress is too small for them, let alone the same room.

“Sure, Dom. No problem.”

Irina turns to go into Libby’s room and I breathe a little easier. At least until my mother falls in step with me and leans in close. “You’re not fooling me, Dominic. A mother’s intuition is strong.”

I stop walking and let everyone else get out of earshot before I respond. When I look down at my mother, something passes between us. I’d hate to call it understanding but it’s clear that she does, in fact, know I’m in love with Libby. Her eyes have lost their cunning, bitter edge.

I decide to take a huge risk. If I’m reading this situation incorrectly, I could quite possibly be sealing my own fate as well as Libby’s. But if I’m right, perhaps I can gain the most powerful ally available.

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